Dr. Dinesh
I completed my schooling at Carmel High School, Port Blair, a place that laid the foundation of my values, discipline, and outlook on life. During these formative years, Sr. Irene of Carmel School played a decisive role in shaping my confidence and aspirations. Her unwavering faith in me and constant encouragement left an indelible imprint on my journey.
After school, driven by a strong desire to study in a reputed institution and dissatisfied with the academic ambience available locally, my classmate Gulab Singh and I took a youthful leap of faith. We left Port Blair for Mangalore, guided purely by ambition. We travelled by ship to Chennai and then onward by train to Mangalore.
During our school years, the ships that connected the islands to the mainland were the State of Bombay, State of Haryana, MV Andaman, MV Akbar, MV Nicobar, MV Nancowry, and MV Harshavardhana. Among these, MV Harshavardhana stood out for its maintenance and efficiency under the Shipping Corporation of India. These vessels were more than transport; they were lifelines linking the islands to the wider world.
Our classmates, Maung San Tun (Owner of famous swimming Elephant in the ocean “RAJAN” of Havelock, Rajan was featured in National Geographic Channel, photographed and videography by Steev Bloom a British National) and Mohan Raj, who were already studying at St. Philomena College, tried their best to help us secure admission. Despite sincere efforts, admissions at both St. Aloysius College and St. Philomena College had already closed. Eventually, we secured admission at Vivekananda College, where I completed my Pre-University Course, an experience that strengthened my independence and resolve.
Following my PUC, I joined the prestigious Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College & Hospital, Kolkata, the second-oldest dental college in Asia. From my final year itself, I was deeply involved in clinical work, handling a substantial number of cases. Two of my seniors, Dr. Sukanta Basu and Dr. Debdutta Das, played a pivotal role in nurturing my clinical confidence.
During my final year and internship, I developed a strong inclination towards Oral Surgery, although Orthodontics was the trending specialty at the time. This interest was largely influenced by my teacher and mentor, Dr. Sekhar Chakrabarty. Initially, I was genuinely intimidated to assist him. He was a perfectionist and an extremely strict surgeon, and going anywhere near him felt like a nightmare. Over time, however, his discipline, precision, and uncompromising standards profoundly shaped my professional outlook.
Together, we assisted Dr. Sekhar Chakrabarty at both Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College and the Dental Department of NRS Medical College, Kolkata, where a 10-15-bedded dental ward had been established in the early 1989–1990s. Many nights were spent managing post-operative orthognathic cases, sometimes single-handedly and at other times alongside Dr. Sukanta Basu, often working almost past midnight. These intense experiences shaped my clinical maturity early in my career.
During this period, I also had the opportunity to work with Dr. T. K. Saha, Dr. B. B. Chanda, and Dr. Ronen Poddar, all Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in the Oral Surgery Department. I must also mention Dr. Saibal Sen, a Prosthodontist, perfectionist, and excellent teacher, through whom we gained a strong foundation in prosthodontics.
After I gradually stopped assisting Dr. Sekhar Chakrabarty, and around the time Dr. Sukanta Basu joined Coal India Limited, my classmate Dr. Uday Mukherjee began assisting Dr. Chakrabarty. In the years that followed, Dr. Uday pursued his Master’s degree in Oral Surgery, gained valuable exposure in the United Kingdom, and later returned to settle in Kolkata.
Dr. Amal Kanti Ghosh, an Endodontist, entrusted me with independently managing his dental clinic attached to a Polyclinic at Kolkata. I practised there for a considerable period during my internship and house surgency, gaining invaluable real-world experience and professional confidence.
I had opportunities to join Coal India, Oil India, and even the Army, as there were ample vacancies. I could also have explored prospects abroad, including Dubai or the UK, as my relatives were settled in the UAE. Yet, somewhere deep within, I felt a strong calling to serve the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and to remain close to my parents. That conviction drew me back home.
As soon as I landed in Port Blair, the very next day I secured a posting as a Dental Surgeon at G. B. Pant Hospital, as there was a vacancy. As it was Holi, the then Director of Health Services, Commander J. S. Nagra, handed me my appointment letter a day before the festival and asked me to join after it. At G. B. Pant Hospital, Dr. A. K. Mukherjee was my Senior Dental Surgeon, and along with Dr. Baljeet Kaur, they managed the Dental Department. Dr. Mukherjee frequently appreciated my sincerity, dedication, and work ethic, while the professional freedom granted to me allowed my clinical skills and reputation to grow rapidly. One male nurse, Rao, who was nearing retirement, once remarked to me that he had never seen anyone work with such dedication in his entire career.
Dr. Baljeet Kaur was later offered an opportunity to pursue MDS, which she declined, and subsequently moved to Bombay following her husband’s transfer. Though Dr. Mukherjee encouraged me to apply as well, the mandatory three years of experience proved to be a hurdle at that stage.
I was subsequently transferred to Civil Hospital, Car Nicobar, relieving Dr. John D’Souza, Dental Surgeon. At that time, Indian Airlines operated flights with a capacity of only 13–15 passengers, which were eventually discontinued. I still vividly remember Shri Deepak Lal, Junior Engineer, PWD, seated beside me on one such flight, both of us embarking on our first postings. In those days, the defence aircraft “GAJRAJ” used to land at Airforce Station Car Nicobar, and I once had the rare opportunity to see its interior. The sheer scale of the aircraft was awe-inspiring, it was large enough to accommodate helicopters within it. For someone witnessing it up close, the experience was nothing short of amazing, leaving a lasting impression of its power and purpose.
During my professional tenure in Car Nicobar, I organised the National School Health Programme on three occasions, covering all government schools on the Car Nicobar Island. These initiatives focused on preventive care and early detection, addressing a critical gap in school health services in a remote setting.
Professional life in Car Nicobar was challenging. Patient flow was minimal due to limited awareness of dental hygiene, and coming from a premier dental college filled with enthusiasm, I found myself professionally disheartened. I seriously contemplated resigning from government service. I was entrusted to hold additional charge of CDPO (Child Development Project Officer), DDO, and also Air evacuation of serious patients by Mi 8 Heli, Cessna, by ship etc in Coordination with defence & administration.
Eventually, as professional growth plateaued and job satisfaction declined,
I chose to resign from government service to pursue my future aspirations, a decision that not only defined my career but shaped the rest of my life.
My father, Shri A. Madhavan, DANICS, began his career in the Forest Department and went on to become one of the first promotees to DANICS from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, along with three of his colleagues, a remarkable achievement for that era. He refused a New Delhi posting as we were all studying in Port Blair. He held several important positions, including Assistant Secretary (Planning) and Superintendent of District Jail, Cellular Jail, when convicts were still housed there, and later retired as Assistant Director of Health Services (Administration).
Honest to the core and known for his integrity, he remains fondly remembered even today by retired officers such as Shri C. Mohd and S. K. Malhotra, and other retired colleagues who often visited my clinic for their dental problems or during their evening walks and spoke warmly of him. Though my father is no longer with us, we carry immense pride in the values he stood for. A firm believer in the prestige of government service, he initially opposed my resignation. Yet, when I finally took that step, my self-belief remained unshaken, and in later years, my parents never once regretted my decision.
I opened my private dental clinic at Delanipur, near the present New Anumod Bakery, and within a few months shifted to Golghar. From then on, there was no looking back. I ran two clinics, one at Golghar and another at Dairy Farm, for visiting specialists.
Dr. Ketan Parekh, Orthodontist from Chennai, began visiting my clinic in 2003 and continued for more than 18 years, including after the COVID period. Eventually, he discontinued visits due to travel difficulties during the pandemic, which was a significant loss for patients of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, as he provided complete orthodontic treatment locally, eliminating the need to travel to the mainland and reducing financial burden.
Around 2003–04, Dr. Siju Jacob, a renowned Endodontist from Bangalore, also began visiting my clinic to perform single-sitting RCTs. Having attended endodontic courses in Chennai in 2003 conducted by Prof. L. Lakshminarayanan, Dr. C. V. N. Rao, Dr. Yohan Chacko, and Dr. Siju Jacob at the IAID Centre, and later in Bangalore, I developed a deep interest in Endodontics. A few years later, Micro-Endodontics was introduced at my clinic by Dr. Siju, and we became pioneers in Micro-Endodontics, fixed Orthodontics & Dental Implants of these specialities in the Andamans. Dr. Siju Jacob continues to remain a mentor, teacher, and close friend. Today, my son follows in his footsteps with equal enthusiasm.
After Kingfisher Airlines stopped operations and the tsunami struck the islands, Dr. Jacob began visiting Dubai instead. Dr. V. Rangarajan, Prosthodontist & Implantologist from Chennai, also made regular visits, as he has been my close friend and mentor since our college days in Kolkata. I had attended courses in surgical implantology and implant prosthodontics as early as 2003, conducted by Prof. T. V. Padmanabhan, Prof. V. Rangarajan, Prof. D. Arunachalam, and Dr. Nitish Surathu.
At that time, very few private dental clinics existed in Port Blair. The first dental clinic was established by Dr. Sanjay Sathe, opposite the present BSNL office. He is now settled in New Zealand. Ironically, as a first-year dental student, I had once accompanied my father to his clinic for my mother’s treatment. Later, the clinic was run by Dr. Amar Jyoti Walia before she moved to the USA. Thereafter many clinics sprang up.
In those days, dental care in the islands was often provided by individuals with informal training. One such practitioner was Mr. PANG, a Chinese national who was not a qualified dentist but had learned basic dental procedures from his close relatives (His Japanese gold crown was famous then, there was a craze to crown anterior teeth and show off). Then his son Mr. Singha too learned Denture making. While limited in scope, he was able to manage simple and mild cases, reflecting the improvisation that characterised healthcare delivery in isolated regions at the time.
In those early days, people were unfamiliar with the concept of paying consultation fees, not due to lack of means, but because the practice itself was uncommon. Financial challenges were real.
An SBI loan application to set up my clinic was stalled, but Vijaya Bank, Aberdeen Bazaar, promptly sanctioned a loan, timely support that proved decisive in stabilising my practice.
During the tenure of Hon’ble Lt. Governor Vakkom Purushothaman, I treated him at G. B. Pant Hospital after OPD hours to avoid public attention. Dr. B. Shanmugam, Director of Health Services, was present until the treatment was completed. Later, his wife, Prof. Lilly Purushothaman, required dental care, which was carried out by me at INHS Dhanvantari, accompanied by Dr. Shiv Shankar Singh, Medical Specialist, and the Director of Health Services. Despite mild anxiety-induced dizziness, the procedure was completed smoothly.
Thereafter, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor often invited me to Raj Niwas, where we shared warm conversations in Malayalam, reminiscing about traditional oral hygiene practices of earlier generations. After his tenure, after several years Vakkom Purushothaman was appointed Governor of Mizoram and later settled in Kerala. Accompanied by my father-in-law’s friend, Kunju Mohd (Retd. Assistant Director, Shipping), I visited him at his residence. Though his health had declined with age, his memory remained sharp, and we spoke at length about the Andamans, with Prof. Lilly also present.
A couple of years into my practice, Dr. Namita Mohd Ali, then Director of Health Services, unexpectedly visited my clinic and insisted that I accompany her immediately to Raj Niwas, despite a waiting room full of patients. There, she introduced me to Shri I. P. Gupta, the Hon’ble Administrator. The administration expressed difficulty in finding a competent dental surgeon and offered immediate reappointment. When I enquired about my 5–6 years of prior service, the response was, “You can fight it out in court.” Having invested heavily in my clinic, I chose independence over uncertainty and politely declined.
Soon thereafter, Smt. Sushila Gupta, wife of the Hon’ble Administrator, visited my clinic at Golghar along with Dr. Namita Mohd Ali for treatment. She was exceptionally gracious and down-to-earth.
Hon’ble Presidents of India Shri. Shankar Dayal Sharma and Shri K. R. Narayanan visited Car Nicobar during their respective tenures. I was assigned as the Liaison officer to the Military Secretary to the President of India, a responsibility that offered rare exposure to the highest level of public service and protocol, for which I received an appreciation letter from Shri S. A. Awaradi, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Nicobar District, for close involvement and active cooperation during the visit of the First Lady and entourage in February 1995. During my tenure, Dr. S. K. Paul, Dr. Riaz Meshack, and Dr. B. G. Lal served as Medical Superintendents.
My tenure in Car Nicobar remains rich with memories, Sunday breakfasts at the PWD Guest House, Malacca, with officers; evenings spent with bureaucrats such as Shri Manoj Parida, IAS, then Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, who later became Chief Secretary of Puducherry and UT Advisor to Chandigarh; and many others including Shri Loreng, IPS; Shri Azimul Haque, DANICS; Shri Shashank, DANICS; Ajay Garg, DANICS; Manoj Aggarwal, DANICS; and Sanjay, DANICS, the then Assistant Commissioner, Campbell Bay. Many of them have since risen to senior positions and have been promoted to IAS.
I also shared close associations with Dr. M. K. Das (Malaria Research Centre), Lucas Robert, Ramanathan, New India Assurance, and Dr. Arun Mullick, who had come from AIIMS Delhi for his thesis. I had helped in whatever way I could. Tehsildar Daniel, Kundani, Assistant Engineer (Ele), Subramanian, PWD etc was posted during that time. Beachside parties, gatherings at Passa Beach during holidays, were almost routine.
Near Passa there was a coconut tree with 5 branches (later on one branch got destroyed in the winds, and 4 branches were there) all yielding coconuts, that was the cynosure of all eyes.
I developed close bonds with Nicobari leaders such as Chieftain Edward Kutchet, Richardson R/o Mus, Yusuf Jadwet and family of EHL, a thorough gentleman with a perpetual smile. Daniel, National level football player. Along with Dr. S. K. Paul and Dr. Shipra Paul, & their children I frequently visited his house, as well as the residence of Ibrahim Ali Hussain, Vice-Chief Captain, at Chuckchuka village, all of whom had excellent rapport with the district administration.
Chieftain Edward Kutchet of Kakana famously exchanged a large tract of land for Pandit Nehru’s coat. When asked what he wanted in return, he simply asked for the coat. It was preserved for many years and may have been lost during the tsunami. When he passed away, I was part of the team that embalmed his body.
As the only Dental Surgeon available for the entire Nicobar District, I frequently undertook duty-cum-tour dental camps at Katchal, Nancowry, and Campbell Bay. With limited infrastructure and resources, the work was challenging yet deeply fulfilling.
I travelled extensively across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, from Diglipur in the north to Indira Point in the south, visiting nearly all the inhabited islands of the Nicobar District, including Chowra, Teressa, Katchal, Nancowry (Kamorta), Champin Island, Trinket, Pilomillow, Pilpillow, Kondul, Pilopanja, and Campbell Bay, extending up to Pygmalion Point (Indira Point) during my duty-cum-tour/ leisure trip. Islands such as Tillanchang and Bambooka were sighted from passing vessels, though I did not set foot on them. I liked travelling a lot, later I became a globetrotter.
In 1993, I visited Rani Lachmi’s house, at Champin along with DC Nicobars District & AC Nancowry, where I also met Aysha Majeed too and signed the visitor’s book.
The island of Nancowry is distinguished by its exceptional natural harbour. Nestled between surrounding islands, it is a well-protected, landlocked harbour with entrances from both the eastern and western sides. Its geography makes it ideal for anchorage and navigation, and it is regarded as one of the safest natural harbours in the world.
During a volcanic eruption, I also had the rare opportunity to witness Barren Island.
My familiarity with the geography and realities of life across the inhabited islands of the Nicobar district has shaped the way I practise. I consciously give priority to patients from these remote islands, striving to complete their treatment at the earliest possible time. Knowing firsthand the hardship, uncertainty, and expense involved in travelling from Nicobar and back, even for the most basic care, has made me more mindful, and more committed to easing their burden wherever I can.
Life in the Nicobar group of islands was defined by remoteness and limited access. On Chowra Island, drinking water traditionally depended on rainwater harvesting, while malaria and filariasis were once common public health concerns, though conditions may have improved in recent years. Even when an MML grocery outlet operated, supplies remained scarce due to in frequent ship movement. Everyday items, including a packet of biscuits, were treated as luxuries. When ships anchored offshore, islanders approached in small Hori’s (custom-made dinghies), to collect provisions, carefully wrapping them in polythene before descending ladders into the sea and swimming back to their waiting boats.
Specialists from lone referral G. B. Pant Hospital frequently visited Civil Hospital, Car Nicobar, including Dr. Alok Sinha (Medical Specialist), Dr. Sambhu Saha (Orthopaedic), Dr. Rohindra Lal (Ophthalmologist), Dr. Ashok Subramanian (ENT Specialist), and Dr. Anand (Gynaecologist).
Malaria struck me six times during this period, as it was prevalent. Connectivity was sparse, TSS Yerawa, MV Chowra, and MV Sentinel were the only passenger ships. During rough weather, embarkation shifted from Malacca Jetty to Mus Jetty, then under construction by ALHW, with boarding done through pontoons.
Life was simple, yet rich in human connection. I even picked up a bit of the Nicobarese language, which faded as quickly as the pontoon ropes detached from the jetty.
Our personal life flourished as well. Our son was born in 1995 at G. B. Pant Hospital. My wife, serving in the Education Department at Kakana School (which I later heard no longer exists after the tsunami), returned to Car Nicobar with our son (cute bundle of joy) after maternity leave.
Hemanth Luthra & family and Herickson from SBI were part of our close circle, and we often had gatherings at Mus, a pristine, awe-inspiring beach that remains etched in memory. Thomas, Jyothi, Prasad, Susan Philip, Sandhya, Riscally Mary, Mini, Jisha and Priya were all part of those days.
My son became everyone’s favourite. Most of the time, these girls would happily whisk him away, and by the time they returned him to us it would already be 6 p.m. They genuinely enjoyed nurturing him, perhaps an early rehearsal for motherhood. All of them were bachelors then, staying opposite our Government quarters in Car Nicobar, and together they created a warm, extended family that made those years truly special.
Raising our child amidst island simplicity, close friendships, and a strong sense of community remains one of the most fulfilling chapters of our lives. I have always wished to revisit Car Nicobar to witness the post-tsunami landscape changes, but this has not materialised due to my professional commitments.
Today, my son, Dr. Snehesh, is a second-generation dentist, having completed his Master’s degree and joined me in practice in October 2023. Like me, despite opportunities abroad, he shares the same conviction, to serve the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Looking back, my journey has been shaped not by convenience, but by conviction. Moving from the security of government service to independent practice demanded courage and unwavering self-belief. The islands taught me lessons far beyond dentistry, patience, humility, resilience, and the enduring value of human connection. True success lies not in titles or positions, but in the integrity to stand by one’s decisions and grow through challenges.
This journey, from service to self-belief, continues, anchored in gratitude for the past and quiet confidence in the path I chose.
Author’s Note:-
This narrative is a personal memoir, drawn from lived experiences across decades of professional and personal life in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and beyond. The individuals, institutions, and events mentioned have been recalled with sincerity and respect, based on memory and contemporaneous experiences. The intention of this account is not to chronicle achievements, but to reflect on the values, mentors, friendships, challenges, and choices that shaped my journey.
E-mail: dineshdentalclinic@gmail.com